Astoria Event Center is back in business starting in September. The building, which includes the Shipyard Bar & Grill next door, is being purchased by local landlords and have entered into an agreement with Columbia Bar Productions, LLC, to manage bookings for the venue. Facility manager Cyndi Mudge is excited to pursue this new venture. "I love this space. It is incredibly versatile and can be used many different ways," explained Mudge. "The stage, sound system and seating arrangement makes this perfect for music performances but can also be easily converted to a banquet and wedding space, conference room, or even a sports venue." Mudge is director of Astoria Sunday Market with a background in event and facility management. "This new venture complements my work with the Market and feeds my passion for downtown and preserving this excellent venue."

Astoria Event Center and Shipyard Bar & Grill was built in 1924 after the disastrous fire of December 1922. The facility was purchased in 2007 by Fred and Chrissy VanHorn, who invested a great deal into the redevelopment of the interior. "They did a great job of turning this into a first-rate rental facility," noted Mudge. The Shipyard restaurant is available for lease and offers an exceptional opportunity for a turn-key operation including a kitchen specifically designed for catering.

The building owners will take possession by the end of August and the facility will be available for rentals starting in September. Bookings are being accepted now by contacting Columbia Bar Productions, an LLC created to house Mudge's freelance work which includes event coordinator for the Seaside Holiday Fair, various writing projects and promotional efforts in addition to booking Astoria Event Center.